What mountain chain runs through California?

Sierra Nevada, also called Sierra Nevadas, major mountain range of western North America, running along the eastern edge of the U.S. state of California. Its great mass lies between the large Central Valley depression to the west and the Basin and Range Province to the east.

What are the 2 mountain ranges in California?

There are the two great mountain ranges—the Coast Range on the west, and the Sierra Nevada on the east.

Where are the mountain ranges located in California?

Cascade Range – The Cascade Range is a mountainous region stretching from British Columbia in Canada down to the northern part of California… read more > Coast Ranges – To the west of the Central Valley lies the Coast Ranges, including the Diablo Range, just east of San Francisco, and the Santa Cruz Mountains, to the south of San Francisco.

How tall is the highest peak in California?

California Mountains. The highest peak in the contiguous U.S. is Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet, located within the Sierra Nevada in California. California mountain regions were formed millions of years ago during major geologic movements, though the earth continues to move even inches per day in some parts of California as new mountains slowly form.

How old are the mountains in Southern California?

California mountain regions were formed millions of years ago during major geologic movements, though the earth continues to move even inches per day in some parts of California as new mountains slowly form.

Where is the Sierra Madre mountain system located?

The Sierra Madre Occidental is a major mountain range system of the North American Cordillera, that runs 1,250 km (780 mi) on a northwest–southeast course parallel to the Pacific coast of Mexico; through northwestern and western Mexico and along the Gulf of California.